Spirituality and Quality of Life

A groundbreaking study in the September 11 issue of Health and Quality of Life Outcomes suggests that there has been very little research with regard to spirituality as a salient quality of life determinant for many individuals. In the current study, researchers used a model in which physical activity, spirituality, and social support were hypothesized to influence global quality of life in paths mediated by self-efficacy and health status. Data were collected from a sample of 215 adults over the age of 50. The results support previous findings of an efficacy-mediated relationship between physical activity and quality of life. Interestingly, they also found that spirituality may also influence health and well-being via a similar, efficacy-mediated path, with strongest effects on mental health status. These results suggest that those who are more spiritual and physically active report greater quality of life, and the effects of these factors on quality of life may be partially mediated by perceptions of self-efficacy.